Parrot Zik 3 0 Review | 93 Data compared

Overview and Pros The Parrot Zik 3 is a premium wireless, noise-canceling headphone designed by Philippe Starck, featuring a unique neo-retro aesthetic covered in faux-crocodile leather. A major strength of the device is its highly customizable audio experience, managed through a dedicated mobile app that lets users adjust sound profiles, simulate concert hall acoustics, and download specialized DJ presets. Reviewers highlight its rich sound quality, detailed vocals, and strong bass production without distortion at high volumes. Furthermore, the headphones feature effective noise-canceling capabilities with tailored environmental settings, a highly intuitive touch-control interface on the right ear cup, and smart feature integrations like a presence sensor that automatically pauses music when removed. Cons and Final Verdict Despite its strong feature set, the Zik 3 suffers from a few notable drawbacks, primary among which is comfort over extended listening periods due to a rigid metallic headband that can cause head fatigue. Additionally, activating the noise-canceling mode causes a slight, muffled degradation in overall sound quality. The most significant barrier is its steep price tag of 349 euros, making it one of the...

Comparison Overview The Parrot Zik 2.0 and Zik 3 are both high-end, wireless active noise-cancelling headphones designed by Philippe Starck. The Zik 2.0 stands out for being lighter than its predecessor and offering six distinct colour options. It delivers slightly improved noise cancellation up to 30 dB. However, its audio quality still leaves room for improvement, and its iOS companion app suffers from stability issues and lag. Iterative Enhancements The Parrot Zik 3 builds on the previous model by resolving major operational pain points. Its standout pros include an extra hour of real-world endurance and improved comfort. It features an upgraded automatic audio-pause system and allows noise cancellation and "Street" mode to work independently of the smartphone app. On the downside, the Zik 3 is slightly heavier at 290g compared to the 286g Zik 2.0, and it has a slightly thicker physical profile when folded.

The Parrot Zik 3 is a premium wireless, over-ear headphone designed by Philippe Starck that features a signature metallic frame and faux-leather finish, including a distinct crocodile texture option. This model improves upon its predecessors by being lighter, less bulky, and fitting more securely and comfortably on the head. It is packed with advanced features, including a touch-sensitive control pad, NFC pairing, automatic active noise cancellation (ANC), and Qi wireless charging capability. Additionally, it offers excellent connection versatility, supporting Bluetooth, a standard audio cable, and high-definition USB audio via an integrated digital-to-analog converter.

The GoldenGeek review of the Parrot Zik 3Go highlights it as a highly convincing and intelligent evolution over the original Zik 1. On the positive side (pros), the reviewer praises its significant weight reduction, better padding, and enhanced ergonomics, which make it extremely comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Its Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is described as incredibly powerful, capable of totally cutting the wearer off from the world, while a smart "Street Mode" allows outside awareness when walking or making calls. Technological upgrades like wireless induction charging, an automated smart-pause feature when removing the headset, and a built-in DAC for 5.1 Audio-USB high-res playback on PCs/Macs are major performance upgrades. Furthermore, the accompanying mobile application offers impressive customisation, letting users heavily modify spatialization angles and equalizer presets. However, the reviewer also points out several notable drawbacks (cons). A primary downside is the high price tag, which sits between €300 and €350, positioning it as a premium luxury investment. While the 11-hour battery life (with Bluetooth and ANC enabled) is sufficient for a standard week of commuting, it remains relatively modest compared...

The GeekTest review highlights the Parrot Zik 3Go as a sleek, Bluetooth wireless headphone featuring an elegant leather and metal design crafted by Philippe Starck. On the positive side, the reviewer praises its rich, highly versatile sound signature with well-balanced bass, exceptional active noise cancellation (ANC) that performs wonderfully in public transport, and accurate 18-hour battery life (8 hours via Bluetooth). Additionally, the intuitive touch interface on the right earcup works flawlessly for controlling playback, track skipping, and volume changes without cluttering the aesthetic with excess buttons. Conversely, the review exposes notable drawbacks, particularly the headphone's heavy reliance on its companion smartphone app, making it impossible to adjust the equalizer or temporarily disable the ANC directly from the hardware. In terms of comfort, the reviewer notes a slight discomfort during extended listening sessions, suggesting it is better suited for shorter commutes.

The Parrot Zik 3 is a futuristic, feature-packed circum-aural headphone designed by Starck that offers modern tech like wireless Qi charging, NFC, automated motion detection for pausing, and adjustable active noise cancellation (ANC) via a dedicated app. While the physical build is highly qualitative, featuring smooth, quilted, or crocodile-patterned synthetic leather and a sturdy aluminium frame, the overall ergonomics suffer from a heavy clamping force (573 grams-force) that may cause discomfort during extended listening sessions. Furthermore, despite adding wireless charging capabilities, the retail package disappointingly omits the actual induction charger, requiring users to pay an additional €34.90 to use the feature. In terms of audio performance, the review highlights significant disparities depending on how the device is connected. While the microphone delivers excellent call quality, the audio output is deeply flawed over Bluetooth, which heavily exaggerates bass frequencies, creates a gap in the lower mids, and suffers from distortion. Activating the improved ANC further compromises the high frequencies by cutting off the treble prematurely at 6.3 kHz instead of the standard 10 kHz. Using a wired jack connection provides a...

The Parrot Zik 3 wireless over-ear headphones stand out with unique design upgrades, featuring crocodile skin textures and stitched leather finishes alongside major functional improvements like optional Qi induction charging and an adaptive active noise-cancelling system. A major highlight is the new direct digital USB audio connection, which delivers enhanced precision, tighter bass response, and richer mid-range and high frequencies compared to traditional Bluetooth or analog wired connections. The headphones retain a user-friendly touch-control panel on the ear cup and pair with an advanced smartphone app that provides highly customisable equalisation and spatial audio tools. Acoustic performance remains consistently warm and full-bodied, offering strong bass consistency, open mid-tones, and a smooth high end. However, the Zik 3 falls short in audio agility, as the sound signature lacks a bit of lightness and overall liveliness. The digital USB connection is also restricted to PC and Mac computers, maxing out at 16-bit/48 kHz audio streams with no current out-of-the-box support for Lightning or micro-USB mobile devices. Additionally, enjoying the headline wireless induction charging feature requires an extra €35 investment for the optional...

The LegolasGamer review highlights the Parrot Zik 3Go as an incredibly advanced, feature-rich wireless headset that completely immerses the wearer in their music. The reviewer notes several prominent pros, starting with its highly effective active noise cancellation (ANC), which easily blocks out intrusive public transit noises like wind, train tracks, and loud crowds. The sound quality is exceptional and highly customizable via a smartphone equalizer app. Furthermore, the intuitive touch control panel on the right earcup makes adjusting volume and skipping tracks effortless. Other standby benefits include a smart presence sensor that pauses music automatically when the headphones are removed, a unique and trendy "faux crocodile" leather design, clear voice calls, and a 5.1 surround sound USB audio mode for computers. However, the review details a few notable cons regarding the premium headset. A major drawback is its mediocre battery life, which only lasts through a single full day of mixed, active use. The premium retail price of €350 makes it a steep investment that is not accessible to everyone. Additionally, although the thick, padded ear cushions provide exceptional structural...

The AudioCasque.fr review gives the Parrot Zik 3 an overall rating of 8.5/10, describing it as an elegant, highly advanced Bluetooth headset that brings small but notable improvements over its predecessor. Designed by Philippe Starck, the over-ear headphones boast premium aesthetics alongside highly intuitive, responsive touch controls built directly into the right ear cup for volume and track navigation. The reviewer praises its top-tier active noise cancellation (ANC), featuring a dynamic "Street Mode" that safety-consciously lets ambient city sounds filter back in. Additionally, an improved built-in movement sensor seamlessly pauses playback when the headphones are pulled down around the neck. A major highlight is the incredibly comprehensive companion mobile app, which offers deep customization through audio presets, soundstage simulation, and a five-band equalizer. Furthermore, a newly integrated USB connection expands versatility by letting users listen to high-quality desktop audio while charging. However, the review points out several significant drawbacks that keep the headset from achieving perfection. While the sound quality is rich and energetic when powered on, passive wired listening (with the headset turned off) yields a flat, dull, and...

The Parrot Zik 3 is a feature-rich wireless headphone that offers broad functionality but falls short of a true generational evolution, earning a 3 out of 5 rating from Les Numériques. On the positive side, it features a distinctive, solid build available in various textures (like faux crocodile leather), and an expanded headband that improves comfort for larger heads. When used in active mode with its digital signal processing (DSP) enabled, it delivers a precise, musical sound signature with strong vocal presence, excellent call quality, and a highly functional "Street Mode" for environmental awareness. The accompanying smartphone app is comprehensive, offering extensive customisation options including a 5-band parametric equalizer, spatial reverb settings, and an automated active noise cancellation (ANC) system. Key Criticisms Despite these advantages, the headphone suffers from several distinct drawbacks. Weak Passive Performance: It is entirely unsuited for passive wired use, which results in a flat, nasal sound and inadequate power. Flawed Audio Profile: Even in active mode, the bass lacks definition, the soundstage feels slightly confined, and the high frequencies can suffer from artificial, compressed artifacts. Poor...